UPMC WILLIAMSPORT’S HEROSCAPE
In recognition of Veterans Day, UPMC and Penn College broke ground at UPMC Williamsport for a new HeroScape project which will create a new outdoor space on the front lawn of the hospital campus in honor of veterans in the community. The space will feature a statue of a soaring eagle and medallions of the six branches of military service. The work for this project is expected to be completed next spring and UPMC is planning on a special recognition event next year to showcase the new space.
A SUIT SETTLED AGAINST WILLIAMSPORT
A police excessive force and malicious prosecution suit against the city of Williamsport has been settled. The suit, looking for upwards of $275,000, was due to an incident during the administration of then Mayor Gabriel J. Campana. In the U.S. Middle District Court Wednesday, a stipulation of dismissal notice was filed. According to SUN Gazette, the stipulation was in regards to the litigation Dana S Sealander had taken against Williamsport City and its officers Ryan Brague and Laura Miller Kitko. Even though, these matters are typically privileged matters, handled by means of city liability insurance, there were no comments available from either administration or council.
UPDATED LOCAL COVID-19 CASES
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday reported new COVID-19 cases. In Clinton County 40 new cases were reported. Centre County saw an increase of 71 new cases, while Lycoming County went up by 113 and Tioga had 35 new cases registered yesterday. There were 79 new cases registered in Northumberland County, 22 in Snyder, 14 in Union and 10 in Montour.
ACCIDENT DUMPS 275 GALLONS OF USED VEHICLE OIL
Over 275 gallons of used vehicle oil dumped on the roadway, when a driver lost control of his trailer. He was driving west on Route 304, near the borough of New Berlin, , Union County yesterday around 8 am, when the trailer rolled over and disengaged from the vehicle that was towing it, causing 275 gallons of used vehicle oil to spill all over the roadway. Environmental services were on scene cleaning at the time of crash. The driver refused treatment and transport to the hospital; however he was issued multiple citations. Penndot had the road closed for the cleanup and were provided documentation on scene.
TRAFFIC STOP ON INTERSTATE 80 YIELDS DRUG ARRESTS
A traffic stop in Union County of Interstate 80 yielded State Police upwards of 18 pounds of marijuana and other illegal cannabis products during a traffic stop with two New York residents on Monday. According to reports, the vehicle they were in had Ohio plates and was traveling at a high rate of speed. Troopers stopped the vehicle and identified the occupants as Tammy D. Goss, 29, and Joseph L. Bitonti, 26, both of Franklin Square, were charged with felonies, filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Mensch, Mifflinburg. Held on $100,000 cash bail following their arraignments, both are scheduled for preliminary hearings Tuesday.
CHARGES OF CHILD ABUSE FOR KREAMER COUPLE
Child abuse charges are leaved on a Kreamer couple after Geisinger Medical Center see signs of possible shaken baby syndrome. Gregory and Jennifer Lachat took their 9-month-old infant to the Danville hospital on oct 27 when the child was suffering from seizures.. During the exam, it was determined that the child’s current and prior brain traumas are all consistant with shaken baby syndrome, according to daily item. The lachatws wer charged with multiple felonies and are held in lieu of $100,000 cash bail at Snyder County Prison.
LEWISBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET DEFICIT
Nearly $1.1 million of a beginning budget deficit hangs in the background as the Lewisburg Area School District, both administrators and the Board of Directors begin the tedious work of balancing their financials, including spending for next school year. According to the Daily Item, although it is only the 8th time in the past 10 years that the taxes have been increased, a 0.52 mills tax increase has been approved. The reason for the increase is because over half of the local revenue is in the form of property taxes. Looking ahead to the next budget, increasing costs, including; contracted employee raises, potential increases in health insurance and charter school tuition, help to put the revenue expenses higher than current numbers.
SKILL GAMING ACT IN PENNSYLVANIA COURTS
The Pennsylvania Capital Star is reporting… They’ve made their way into bars and convenience stores across Pennsylvania, but so-called “skill games,” which critics have labeled as unregulated and illegal, are the subject of an ongoing battle in Harrisburg. While some want the games banned, arguing that they annually result in millions of dollars in lost revenue for the Pennsylvania Lottery and casino industry, one Republican state lawmaker — who considers them a lifesaver for businesses — wants to tax the machines Yaw, joined by state Reps. Jeff Wheeland, R-Lycoming, and Danilo Burgos, D-Philadelphia, announced plans for legislation, dubbed the “Skill Gaming Act,” that will tax and regulate the skill games.
MANDATORY RECOUNT
The results of a tight race for a seat on the statewide Commonwealth Court will be recounted because two candidates finished within a half-percentage point of each other in last week’s election, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced this week. The race pits Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Lori Dumas, the Democrat, against former Pennsylvania Senate Republican aide Drew Crompton, who was appointed last year to fill a Commonwealth Court vacancy until a replacement could be elected. Commonwealth Court handles cases involving state government and local governments. Since automatic recounts were authorized in 2004, the law has been triggered five times, with two recounts carried out. The recount will begin on Nov. 17 and must be completed by noon on Nov. 23. Results will be published on electionreturns.pa.gov. The department estimates that the recount will cost at least $1.3 million of taxpayer funds.
GEISINGER SAYS THANK YOU TO VETERANS
To thank local Veterans for their service to our country, Geisinger served more than 2,300 meals during drive-through Veterans Appreciation dinners at nine locations across its service area on Wednesday, Nov. 10. The dinners for U.S. Military Veterans and guests were provided at no cost to participants. While the event is traditionally a sit-down meal, it was served in a drive-through format for the second year in a row due to safety precautions in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
